I am assuming that the 50D would be the better of the 2 since it has 15.1MP compared to the 40D's 10.1MP are they basically the same camera otherwise??? I have been reading the ohter threads and saw that everyone was saying to go with the 40D over the XSI... and I found this Canon EOS 50D Black 15.10 MP 3.0" 920K LCD Digital SLR Camera w/ 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens for $1319 with free shipping at Newegg.com

I was wondering if this was as good of a deal as it seems to me... Since I am thinking of taking the plunge for a DSLR too... I have a new baby and really want to take good quality wake pics too}

I'm a Nikon guy but one of my good friends is a Canon dude...from what I hear from him and his fellow Canonites, buy the 40D and spend the cost savings on good glass. But there are lots of Canon people here who have much more knowledge on this topic.

As a side note, its never about which camera has more MPs, lots of other factors make a good camera!

I to have heard of going with the 40 over the 50. Some are having computer issues with the 50. As for the printing of pictures I have a 40 and just recently printed 18x24 pictures and they came out very nicely. It will be interesting to see where this thread goes but I would probably say it will be more for the 40.

I have a few friends that recently went the 40D route after comparing it to the 50D at a local shop. There are a few differences (new sensor and bigger LCD on the back, etc) but in the end both friends went with the lesser expensive body and put the money that they saved into some better glass.

The LCD on the 50D is MUCH MUCH better than the one on the 40D. Compare the two side by side. I actually bought a 50D on 1/6/09 from buydig.com for $1069 w/a free memory card. The site said it was in stock but it never showed up. I called and it was on backorder. This whole time it said "in stock" on their web site. After the date for shipping got pushed back a couple times I canceled the order so now I am looking for a 50D also. Check B&H... I did notice both Buydig and B&H raised their 50D's by $100 this weekend (I think a Canon rebate expired or something).

fyi bhphotovideo.com has the 40d for 970 (or so) and they are a very reputable dealer that most on here use. Just bought a 40d for 950 before christmas and are very happy. didn't look at the 50d because I actually started looking at a cheaper camera and upsized to the 40d. couldn't justify 2 upgrades and from what I read the 50d has advantages, but they aren't huge (to me anyway). I am basically a rookie so I won't get into detail

If you're going to shoot primarily long focal lengths and need the extra cropability afforded by the 50D and all those tiny pixels, that's the way to go. Nature shooters are loving that body.

For everyday stuff and sports like wakeboarding stick with the 40D as you don't need the extra pixels.

Also the 50D will stress even good L lenses sometimes given all the detail that sensor can resolve. Shots that look good with that 28-135 on a 40D are going to look not as good on the 50 especially if you pixel peep.

I also think the 40D has more under exposure leeway before noise rears it's ugly head.

AF speed/accuracy appears to be a draw based on what I'm reading out there. I thought the 50D's AF was pretty good.